Civics Flashcards
Delegated/Enumerated Powers
These are powers of the Federal government that are specifically written down in the U.S.
Constitution.
• Declare War
• Negotiate treaties with foreign governments
• Conduct foreign relations
• Regulate interstate commerce
• Print and coin money
• Establish patents and copyrights
• Establish post offices
• Establish weights and measures
Reserved Powers
These are powers of the state and local governments
• All licensing
• Marriage laws
• Establish local governments
• Education
• Regulate intrastate commerce
• Protect the health and morals of the citizens
• Run elections
Concurrent Powers
These are powers that are shared by all levels of government (federal, state and local)
• Levy taxes
• Police
• Jails/prisons
• Criminal justice
• Establish courts
• Borrow money
• Build and maintain roads
• Make and enforce laws
Taxes
• The federal government charges income tax. This is a tax on the money you earn
• The Florida state government charges a 6% sales tax. Counties are permitted to add up to 1.5%
• Counties get most of their money from property taxes. This is a tax on the land/home that
someone owns
Executive branch
• Florida’s executive is the Governor. The current Governor is Ron DeSantis.
• The Governor is elected directly by the citizens and can serve 2 terms of 4 years each (just like
the President). To qualify for this office, you must be at least 30 years of age and lived in Florida
for at least 7 years prior to being elected.
• If the Governor does not sign or veto a law within 7 days (if the legislature is in session) or within
15 days (if the legislature is not in sessions), then the bill automatically becomes a law.
• The Governor has a Cabinet, just like the President.
• The Florida Cabinet has 3 members; Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of
Agriculture.
• The Governor acts a lot like the President; he/she can pardon criminals, oversees a lot of
departments, directs state policy, commands the state militia etc.
• There is a Lieutenant Governor, who is elected. This position is akin to the VP at the Federal
level.
• Unlike the Federal Cabinet, the State of Florida Cabinet is elected by the citizens, not
appointed
Florida Judicial Branch
• Florida’s Supreme Court has 7 justices. They are chosen by a judicial nominating committee and
then appointed by the governor for a term of 6 years. They then appear on the ballot, and the
voters get to decide if they keep their job. They do not serve for life like Federal judges!
• Lower level judges are elected by the people!
• Florida has 4 levels of courts (see the picture). Lowest to highest…Trial court of limited
jurisdiction, trial court of general jurisdiction, appeals court, state Supreme Court
Local Governments
• Local governments are the lowest level of government in our federalism system.
• Florida has 67 counties. These counties all elect a sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, and
other officials.
• All counties elect 5 to 7 commissioners that run the county government and act as a legislature.
They pass laws called ordinances.
• Each county has its own school district. The Florida state government determines what classes
students take, and what is learned in those classes. The actual day-to-day operations of the
school are run by the county. Each county has a superintendent of schools (think of this like a
super-duper principal that oversees all the schools in a district). This person is elected.
• Municipal governments are formed for towns and cities. Leaders of a municipal government
are called mayors. Tampa is an example of a municipal government.
• Most municipal governments have a city council that makes ordinances.
• Florida also has special districts. These are set up for specific purposes such as flood control,
water rationing, and fire prevention
Powers to create the government
U.S. constitution created the federal government
The U.S. congress can create states
State governments can create city’s, counties, towns and etc
